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New Delhi: Amid much speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, the Congress high command are likely to get into huddle with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar this month to discuss the crucial decision.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the tug-of-war between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over the Chief Minister post will be resolved soon. "I would like to say that we will resolve this issue. People in the high command - Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I will sit together and deliberate on this...We will give the mediation that is required," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The Karnataka unit of Congress has been witnessing internal power tussle amid speculation over a change of the guard, following the Congress government completing half of its five-year term on November 20. Reports cite an alleged power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.
Crucial meet likely on Nov 29
According to sources, the Congress' high command is considering summoning Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi possibly by November 29, to discuss the leadership tussle. There is a possibility of a negotiation between the CM and the Deputy CM in the presence of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Some reports claimed that the Congress high command is likely to take a call on the political situation in the state before the Winter Session of Parliament begins on December 1.
Kharge and Gandhi are also expected to hold discussion on the Karnataka political developments today or tomorrow. Kharge has recently expressed concern over statements made by both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar publicly. The Congress' high command is expected to clear the confusion over the distribution of power after a meeting with the two tall leaders of the state which is party's only major stronghold in south.
Siddaramaiah vs Shivakumar
While the supporters of Siddaramaiah are insisting on to maintaining the status quo at least until March, some Congress MLAs from Karnataka met party leaders in Delhi this week to pitch for Shivakumar's elevation as CM. One of the MLAs --Iqbal Hussain-- upon returning to Karnataka, said that he is 200 per cent sure that Shivakumar will become Chief Minister of the state soon. Such public statements and speculation has become a matter of concern for the party leadership.
While Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's loyalists have locked horns over CM's chair, the final word rests with Rahul Gandhi and the party's top leadership.
